Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-08-12
TIE MAD LOVER.
BY G.. WALDO BROWNE.

BY G. WALDO BROWNE.
COB, Allie! forgot TO Toll you before,
but Lang Mitchell has escaped from his
keepers and is at liberty"
Alice Durand's fair face turned pale at
her friends announcement.
"Iou do not mean it. Bessie. You are
trying 10 brighten nc."
"No; am not, Alice. Mad Lang Mitchell
has really escaped from the B-asylum,
and as late as noon day he had not been
found. But there, don't look so white; you
nor have nothing to fear. ] had forgotten
he was one of your discarded suitors.
Singular, wasn't it, your rejection should
have driven him crazy?"
"Bessie West!" exclaimed the other, re-
proachfully; chow can you speak sol
gave MIR. Mitchell to understand from the
first that he could not win my favor. Still
he would press his suit, until l became
engaged to Frank Lane. when I positively
refused to see him. He went away utter
ing such fearful threats that can never
forget them. You know that insanity is
hereditary in the family. Lang had a
sister in DIR. SIS private asylum whom he
used to visit me, and he appeared at times
to lose his reason. always feared him,
but never cared for him. feel for him
in his affection, but am certainly in no
way to blame. There. mother will be look
ing for me, and must hasten home"
II will go with you. hllie."
"Oh, no; you need not am not afraid. {"
"But it is awful lonesome through Black
Hollow woods, and If you should meet
Lang"
Nonsense, Besa West: will show YOU
that am not afraid" and with light
laugh she started homeward, leaving her
friend to anxiously watch her departure.
Allie was somewhat startled to find that
the sun had set, and that night was fast
creeping on. But rather than to be laughed
at after Boosting of her courage, she re-
solved not to turn back.
The truth was, Bessie's careless speech
had wounded her feelings sorely, and as she
VS. .zed along her mind became engrossed
wi;- unpleasant thoughts of Lang Mitchell,
tn escaped lunatic.
& misfortune was certainly not charge
abb, to her, through she could not help
wishing that different fate might have
been his.
Filled with these conflicting meditations
she hardly realized her progress until
reaching Black Hollow, one of tho most
gloomy spots to be found in that vicinity.
Under the somber woods it was already
quite dark.
She quiclzened her steps as she came
within the shadows of the overhapging for
est that lined tine road on either hand.
She had not advanced far, however,
when the sound of footsteps fell upon her
ears!
CHANGING wildly over her shoulder she
saw to her terror that some one was follow
ing her.
With second glance she saw that her
worst fears were realized.
1t Was rad Lang tfltchetH
Seeming to divine her discovery, he gave
utterance 10 shriIl, maniacal laugh, which
made her blood curdlo and heart fairly
cease its beating.
Her first thought was to cry for help; but
in that lonely place she could not hope for
an answer to her appear.
With wild. agonizing scream she fed
for life.
His frantic cries making the evening air
hideous, the mailman rushed in pursuit.
Terror seemed to lend wings and strength
to the fleeing girl, who sped on like
hunted fawn, expecting to be overtaken at
every bound of her wild pursuer.
But he proved clumsy runner, and at
first she outdistanced him. Her hopes be-
gan to rise as she began TO feel that it was
possible for her to escape him.
His superior strength, however, soon be-
gan to count in his fevor. She began to
lose ground!
His cries grew more frequent and terrible.
She had passed the darker portion of the
way and was nearing the edge Of the for
est; but her home was still half milo
away, and it was tho FIRST house on the
road!
Perhaps We should except one old
dwelling that stood close to the woods,
which had not been occupied for years,
and the walls of which we're fast yielding
to the inroads of time.
AS the hunted maiden came in sight of
the deserted building che resolved as her
only alternative to seek it's shelter.
There was no turn in the road for